Interlocking Shoring Panels

ABSTRACT

The present invention is an interlocking shoring panel for excavation with implied methods of use. In one preferred embodiment the panel comprises a top edge, a bottom edge, a first side edge, a second side edge, an inner surface and an outer surface. The edges have attachment means such as complementary interlocking features for connecting the panel to one or more adjacent shoring panels. The inner surfaces have two or more horizontal channels and two or more vertical support struts at spaced intervals along the length of the shoring panel. A plurality of shoring panels are interconnected to form a shoring ring, and a plurality of shoring rings are interconnected to form a shoring structure.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a Continuation-in-Part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/425,397 filed Mar. 20, 2012, currently co-pending, which is in turn a Continuation-in-Part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/195,279, filed Aug. 20, 2008, which is currently abandoned.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a device for use in building construction, mining and related industries. More particularly the present invention provides a shoring panel that may be constructed and elongated in segments as excavation progresses and prevents the walls of a site from collapsing.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Standard shoring of excavation sites along trenches generally involves large heavy metal panels inserted by crane into the trenched area on either side and held in place by adjustable spacers positioned between the panels. This type of shoring, in most cases, requires heavy equipment such as tractors, cranes or hoists to move and position the panels which can be expensive and/or difficult to obtain, transport and install based on a variety of geographic and economic restraints.

When excavating foundational pylons, wells and other holes the common techniques are to drill or bore using rigs comprising augers or bits of the desired diameter. However, in cases where the terrain is steep or when the area is not easily accessible for large or heavy equipment, the hole must be dug by hand. In such circumstances the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires that all trenches and holes in which men will be working have shoring at five feet and deeper. Conventionally, holes and trenches are drilled and excavated first, then shoring systems are lowered in place to meet OSHA requirements.

When holes are drilled or bored they maybe oriented vertically or at an angle and may sometimes be shored using cylindrical tubes. The disadvantage to this method is that these tubes are large and must be provided in a number of different lengths to assure that the workmen are protected at reasonable depth intervals. The tubes are made of heavy gauge metal and must be inserted into the holes by cranes. To facilitate insertion the holes must often times be excavated at larger diameters to enable the tubes to be lowered to the base of these holes with minimal resistance. Where access does not permit such equipment these shoring options cannot be utilized and the holes are often excavated by hand. Absent the proper shoring the workmen are often placed at risk and collapses occur on a regular basis. Each year several hundred deaths and injuries are attributed to excavation site collapses in North America alone.

Consequently there is a need for devices, systems and method for shoring these excavation sites to protect workmen with a device that is easy to use, light weight, can be constructed at reasonable depth intervals and is inexpensive to purchase and install.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a shoring panel for excavation comprising a top edge, a bottom edge, a first side edge, a second side edge, an inner surface and an outer surface, the edges having attachment means for connecting to one or more adjacent shoring panels, the inner surface comprising two or more horizontal channels and two or more vertical support struts at spaced intervals along the length of the shoring panel.

In one embodiment of the present invention the shoring panel is preferably a semicircle shape such that when the side edge of the shoring panel is connected to the side edge of two or more other shoring panels the three or more joined panels form an interlocked geometrically stable configuration such as a circle. If the form is a circle, it may be provided in a variety of dimensions including for example 24, 36, 48, 60, 84 inch diameters or larger. The shoring panel may further comprise apertures to provide additional means for securing the shoring panel to another shoring panel such as by a bolt. In a preferred configuration the attachment means is a snap fitting. The shoring panels may be made of a variety of materials including high density polymer, low density polymer, plastic, recycled plastic, metal, fiberglass and combinations thereof.

Also provided is a method for shoring an excavation site using inter-connectable shoring panels. An excavation site with walls and a bottom is dug and at least first, second, third and fourth shoring panels each having a top edge, a bottom edge, a first side edge, a second side edge, an inner surface and an outer surface are provided. A first shoring ring including the first and second shoring panels is created by connecting the first side edge of the first shoring panel to the second side edge of the second shoring panel. The first shoring ring has a top edge and is placed at the bottom of the excavation site adjacent to the walls of the excavation site. A second shoring ring including the third and fourth shoring panels is created by connecting the first side edge of the third shoring panel to the second side edge of the fourth shoring panel. The second shoring ring has a bottom edge. the top edge of the first shoring ring is connected to the bottom edge of the second shoring ring to form a shoring structure with a top edge. As the excavation site gets deeper, additional shoring rings are added to the top edge of the shoring structure to maintain the height of the shoring structure substantially commensurate or proportionate to the depth of the excavation site.

In another embodiment, an interlocking shoring panel for excavation has a semicircular top edge having a first plurality of conduit apertures, a semicircular bottom edge having a second plurality of conduit apertures aligned with the first plurality of conduit apertures on the top edge, and first and second side edges between the top edge and the bottom edge. The inner surface of the panel has at least two horizontal channels and at least two vertical support struts. The top edge and the bottom edge have first complementary interlocking features to connect the bottom edge of the shoring panel to a top edge of an identical second shoring panel. The first side edge and the second side edge have second complementary interlocking features to connect the first side edge of the shoring panel to a second side edge of an identical third shoring panel.

The top edge of the shoring panel may include a protruding tongue and the bottom edge may include a groove complementary to the tongue. Similarly, the bottom edge of the shoring panel may include a protruding tongue and the top edge may include a groove complementary to the tongue. The first side edge of the shoring panel may include a ridge and the second side edge may include a channel complementary to the ridge.

Also provided is a system for shoring an excavation site using a plurality of the interlocking shoring panels just described. The system includes a first shoring ring including first, second and third interlocking shoring panels interlocked together, the top edges of the first, second and third interlocking shoring panels at least partially forming a top edge of the first shoring ring. The system also includes a second shoring ring having fourth, fifth and sixth interlocking shoring panels interlocked together, the bottom edges of the fourth, fifth and sixth interlocking shoring panels at least partially forming a bottom edge of the second shoring ring. The bottom edge of the second shoring ring is connected to the top edge of the first shoring ring by engaging the complimentary interlocking features of the bottom edges of the fourth, fifth and sixth interlocking shoring panels with the complimentary interlocking features of the top edges of the first, second and third interlocking shoring panels. The first and second shoring rings are assembled inside an excavation site to provide a shoring structure to shore the excavation site. Additional shoring rings may be added to the top of the shoring structure as the excavation site gets deeper. The top edge of the first interlocking shoring panel is preferably engaged with both the bottom edge of the fifth interlocking shoring panel and the bottom edge of the sixth interlocking shoring panel to provide increased rigidity.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 (A) is a top view; (B) is a front view; and (C) is a back view; (D) is the side view; and (E) is the bottom view of the shoring panel of the present invention and

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the shoring panel of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Unless defined otherwise, all terms used herein have the same meaning as are commonly understood by one of skill in the art to which this invention belongs. All patents, patent applications and publications referred to throughout the disclosure herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety. In the event that there is a plurality of definitions for a term herein, those in this section prevail.

The term “attachment means” as used herein refers to any means by which the shoring panels of the present invention may be securely connected forming a stable geometric configuration such as a circle or cylinder. In a preferred configuration the attachment means are snap fittings such that adjacent shoring panels interlock with each other, both top to bottom and side to side. One preferred snap connector is prepared by providing a groove on one of the joining elements and a ridge that fits snugly into the groove on the other joining element. These snap fittings are often referred to as tongue and groove and are preferably provided on all sides of the shoring panel to allow interconnection between panels to the sides and on the top and bottom. Any type of snap fitting, tongue and groove, or ridge and channel configuration may be referred to herein as a “complementary interlocking feature.”

The term “semicircle” as used herein means any fraction of a circle, and not necessarily a half-circle. For example, three (or any other number) semicircular panels may be attached together to form a circular section.

A “shoring ring” is a geometrically stable configuration of a plurality of shoring panels connected together by their side edges. A shoring ring can include two, three, or more shoring panels connected together side to side. A shoring ring may be circular, but may also be any other closed shape such as square, pentagonal, hexagonal, octagonal, etc.

A “shoring structure” is at least two shoring structures connected together top to bottom. The bottom of one shoring ring is connected to the top of another shoring ring to increase the height of the shoring structure as the excavation deepens.

The present invention includes a shoring panel for excavation comprising a top edge, a bottom edge, a first side edge, a second side edge, an inner surface and an outer surface, the edges having attachment means for connecting to one or more adjacent shoring panels, the inner surface comprising two or more horizontal channels and two or more vertical support struts at spaced intervals along the length of the shoring panel. The attachment means is preferably a complementary interlocking feature on the top, bottom, and both side edges of the shoring panel. Using these interlocking features, one shoring panel may be interlocked side to side with a first adjacent identical shoring panel and interlocked top to bottom with a second adjacent identical shoring panel. Two or more adjacent shoring panels are interlocked side to side to form a closed section, for example a ring. Additional shoring panels are interlocked to the top or bottom edges of the first closed section in order to add a second closed section. In this way a shoring structure, for example a cylinder (or other hollow structure regardless of cross-sectional shape), may be built inside an excavation site. Although complementary interlocking features are preferred, other attachments means, such as nuts and bolts, ties and any other type of fastener may also be used.

Exemplary embodiments of the invention will now be described in detail below with reference to the appended figures. The figures are not necessarily drawn to scale and do not necessarily show every detail or structure of the various embodiments of the invention, but rather illustrate exemplary embodiments and mechanical features in order to provide an enabling description of such embodiments. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the complete invention. FIGS. 1A through 1E show the various views of the components.

The shoring panel 10 of the present invention may be made of a variety of materials that are relatively lightweight for easy manipulation and placement during use including for example, plastic, polymer, carbon fiber, fiberglass, aluminum or any combination thereof. The panel 10 may be made in one or more pieces that when assembled form a single shoring panel 10. Preferably the panel 10 is made in a single piece for example by injection form molding. If formed in more than one piece, the pieces may be affixed securely by methods known in the art based on the type of material used to prepare the panels 10. If for example the panels 10 are made of metal, the pieces may be welded. Correspondingly, if the panels 10 are made of plastic the pieces maybe heat welded or joined by adhesive.

The shoring panels 10 are prepared such that at least three panels 10 are required to form a complete ring or section. These sections may be configured in a variety of geometric shapes that provide structural integrity when pressure is applied externally. For example, a completed section may be round, square, or polyhedron. A round configuration is particularly preferred so that when the sections are joined they form a cylindrical tube.

The interior dimension of the section may vary depending on the structural requirements for the excavation such as the diameter of the footing being created, matrix or soil type, the ease of digging, access by workmen, panel 10 configuration and depth. For example, if the excavation is to provide a footing for a structure of a particular size or diameter, the interior dimension of the sections will be provided to meet those parameters. In addition, the matrix type such as rock, clay, soil or sand will affect the way in which the site is excavated. In certain cases specialized equipment may be necessary to break up and remove the matrix material. For example, if a jack hammer is necessary the section will be provided with sufficient internal dimensions to house a workman while operating the equipment. If the site is being excavated by hand, the internal dimensions will be provided such that a workman using hand digging tools such as a shovel, pick or digging bar will have sufficient area in which to use such equipment effectively. Where the depth of the excavation site prevents removal of matrix material by hand such as by shoveling, a bucket may be required. In these cases the dimensions of the sections will be provided to permit a workman, a bucket and sufficient work area for the workman to be able to fill the bucket. In all cases the configuration of the sections can be utilized to provide the necessary working area to accomplish the needs of the excavation site. For example, a 3 foot internal diameter section may be provided for a 2 foot diameter by 6 foot deep foundational pylon in a compact soil where the site can be easily excavated by a workman with shovel. Correspondingly, if the matrix were rock requiring a workman with jackhammer, the internal diameter would be larger, possibly 3.5 to 4 feet, to accommodate the workman and equipment. Alternatively, a 3.5 to 4 foot diameter section might be required for a 2 foot diameter pylon in compact soil if the depth were 20 feet to allow sufficient area for filling, raising and lowering of a bucket. In general, the internal dimension of a section having the preferred round configuration is not less than 2 feet and depending on the requirements of the excavation can substantially exceed 8 feet.

The size of a panel 10 will vary depending on the size of the excavation required, the number of panels 10 required to complete a section and the number of sections required to meet the desired depth. For example, if the number of panels 10 used to complete a section is three and a 3.5-foot diameter excavation is desired to a depth of 10 feet, each panel 10 is approximately 3.67 feet in length along its circumference and may be 2 feet in width. Therefore, such an excavation would require four sections or twelve panels 10. Correspondingly, if the panels 10 were 3 feet in width only nine panels 10 would be required. Alternatively, if a 7-foot diameter excavation were desired to a depth of 25 feet a shoring panel 10 being 3 feet in width and approximately 3.14 feet in length along its circumference with a section comprising seven panels 10 would require approximately fifty-six panels 10. Correspondingly, if six panels 10 were used to form a section and the panels 10 were 3.67 feet in length and 3 feet in width the number of panels 10 required would be forty-seven.

The thickness of a panel 10 is the measure from the interior perimeter edge to the exterior perimeter edge and will vary depending on the rigidity desired for a particular excavation operation. Factors influencing the desired thickness include for example, the dimensions of the excavation, the matrix being excavated and the depth of the excavation. The thickness of a panel 10 may increase based on the number of panels 10 required to complete a section. Where the dimensions of an excavation are small, such as for example a 3 foot diameter and 6 feet in depth with sections comprising three panels 10, the thickness may be less than a site having a larger dimension, such as a 6 foot diameter and 15 feet in depth with sections comprising six panels 10. Correspondingly, where the material being excavated may compact easily such as sand or soil thereby exerting more force the thickness of the panels 10 desired might be greater than when the material is not easily compacted such as rock. In addition, where the excavation is to a significant depth the panels 10 may be thicker than if the excavation were shallow. Further, the gauge of the material used to construct the panel 10 will depend on the same factors as those described above for the thickness of the panel 10. Preferably the gauge will range from not less than ⅛ inch and may substantially exceed ¼ inch. Where panels 10 are constructed of larger sizes that require placement by machine the gauge and thickness of the panels 10 can exceed the preferred ranges listed.

The top and bottom of the panels 10 may be provided with in line apertures 36 to provide a conduit that allow the user to thread wires from ground level to the base of the excavation. The number of apertures 36 provided and their shape and size will vary depending on the desires of the user. The apertures 36 are positioned so that they are in alignment when the panels 10 are assembled into sections.

The attachment means may be any means that secures the panels 10 to each other in each section and securing the sections together when forming a tube. This can be done by active bolting or zip tie or by passive tongue 44 and groove 46 or complementary interlocking features such as channels and ridges and tongues and grooves. In one preferred configuration the top 12 and bottom 14 edges of a panel 10 comprise a tongue 44 and groove 46. For example, a tongue 44 may be provided along all or a majority of the interior perimeter lip of the top edge 12. Correspondingly, the bottom edge 14 would then comprise a groove 46 along all or a majority of the interior perimeter lip of the bottom edge 14. The thickness and width of the tongue 44 and groove 46 will permit ease of connecting and depend on the pressures that may be exerted against the exterior of the sections. Preferably the tongue 44 and groove 46 is provided in the same gauge as the material used to construct the panel 10. This gauge may be increased as required based on anticipated external pressures against the exterior of the sections for a particular excavation to provide a stronger connection between the panels 10. Additional connectors such as slots and ridges or snap pins and ridges may be provided along the top 12 and bottom 14 edges to prevent horizontal shifting. In one such configuration the top edge 12 may be provided with ridges and the bottom edge 14 with slots. The ridges and slots are oriented such that when the panel 10 is positioned in alignment with its adjacent panels 10 on the exterior of the section it may be drawn inward toward the center of the section locking it into place.

The first 16 and second 18 side edges may be provided with similar attachment means as that described above for the top 12 and bottom 14 edges. In one preferred configuration the sides are provided with complimentary channels and ridges. For example, along the center of the first side 16 are two grooves one near the top edge 12 and one near the bottom edge 14 of the panel 10. Between these two grooves is a ridge. The ridge and grooves may vary in size and length but are preferably the same. On the second side edge 18, this configuration is repeated in the reverse having two ridges about the center of the side with a groove between them. These are configured such that when panels 10 are connected the ridges fit into the grooves of the adjacent panel 10 locking it in place.

Additional securing features may be provided by a variety of methods. In a preferred configuration, a tab 32 extends from the bottom edge 14 adjacent to the outer surface 28 and perpendicular to one of the sides. The tab 32 provides a pin 48 positioned about its center, perpendicular to tab 32 and parallel to the side of the panel 10. The opposite side provides a groove to receive the pin 48 when guiding the panel 10 into position with an aperture at the end of the groove to receive the pin 48 when the panel 10 is anchored in place.

Another contemplated securing method is by providing in-line bolt holes 34 along and about the center of the circumference of the bottom 14 and top 12 edges. Following construction of each section when additional stability is desired bolts may be fastened through these holes securing one section to another.

The shoring panels 10 of the present invention may be provided with support struts 24 to add additional structural support. They may be provided both horizontally (often referred to as ribs 25) and/or vertically (often referred to as struts 24) along the panel's 10 surface. The ribs 25 create horizontal channels 26 on the inner surface of the panel 10. The ribs 25 and channels 26 extend horizontally between the side edges 16 and 18. While such support struts may be provided on both surfaces it is preferable that the majority of the support struts be provided on the inner surface 22. A plurality of these struts 24 and ribs 25 may be provided based on the additional strength desired, the size of the panel 10, space requirements on the inner surface 22 of the panel 10 and the configuration or shape of the panel 10. For example, when there is minimal anticipated impact of contact with the matrix being excavated and there is little force exerted upon the panels 10 the number of struts 24 may be limited.

Correspondingly, when a substantial force is anticipated from the matrix against the panels 10 additional strength may be desired and the number of struts 24 increased. In addition, if the dimensions of the excavation are limited and the size of the panels 10 required for the work is small the number of struts 24 desired may be reduced based on the gauge of the material used to construct the panel 10. For example if the gauge is sufficiently thick, struts 24 may not be necessary or a substantially limited number may be used. Correspondingly, if the excavation requires larger panels 10 made of the same gauge material the number of struts 24 may be increased to add additional strength.

The inner surface 22 of the panels 10 may be utilized for additional features that assist in the excavation. For example, a removable step may be provided that affixes within the inner surface 22 to provide easy ingress and egress from the excavation site. In such a case the number of struts 24 may be reduced to allow placement of the step and provide sufficient spacing to receive a workman's foot. In a preferred configuration horizontal struts 24 or ribs 25 are provided not less than about 1 inch apart and vertical struts 24 are preferably not less than about 2 inches apart. These distances will depend on the dimensions of the panels 10 and in general the larger the panel 10 the greater the distance between the struts 24. In a preferred configuration, the spacing between one or more ribs 25 is sufficiently wide to accommodate the front portion of a foot. This would allow a workman to climb in or out of a site without additional equipment such as a ladder or hoist.

The ribs 25 are provided with a plurality of apertures 36 along their surface. These apertures 36 are positioned so that they are in alignment when the panels 10 are assembled into sections. These apertures 36 are provided to permit conduits, wires, cables and the like to be brought from the surface to the base of the excavation site in a secure and protected area within the shoring tube. These apertures 36 may be provided in a variety of shapes and sizes. Preferably they are round and have a diameter not less than about ½ inch and not more about than 6 inches. The actual size of the aperture 36 in a given panel 10 will depend on the width of the ribs and the size of the panel 10. In general, the diameter of the apertures 36 is not greater than about ½ the width of the rib 25. The number of aperture 36 along a rib will vary depending on the width of the panel 10, the size of the aperture 36 and length of the rib. Preferably, apertures 36 having diameter ½ the width of a rib are not placed closer than 2 times the diameter of the aperture 36 apart on center.

A panel 10 may also provide anchor adapters for driving anchor pins 42 through the panel 10 that assist in stabilizing the section within the excavation site. Preferably a cylindrical slot is provided with a break-through plug positioned on the exterior surface of the panel 10. When anchoring is desired, an anchor pin 42 or large nail is inserted into the cylindrical slot and driven through the breakthrough plug into the matrix beyond. The length of the slot may vary and assists in maintaining the anchor pin 42 perpendicular to the panel 10 during placement. While these anchor apertures may be provided in a variety of positions within the panel 10 it is preferable that it be centrally located.

The shoring panel 10 may also provide one or more injection ports 38 for back filling between the matrix and the outer surface 28 of the panels 10. These ports may be open or sealed. Preferably this port is sealed with a break through plug on the outer surface 28 of the panel 10 that must be removed prior to use. This back filling reduces or eliminates gaps between the walls of the site and the shoring section substantially stabilizing the excavation site. Preferably the injection port 38 provides an adequate adapter on the inner surface 22 of the panel 10 to receive an appropriate back fill hose. Such as for example threads that allows the hose to be secured in place by screwing. The port may be cylindrical like a nozzle to assist in directing the back fill material generally perpendicular to the shoring panel 10 and directly to the matrix beyond. The length of the port may also assist in gaining access between the support struts 24. For example, a port that extends the full width of the panel 10 will be less difficult to locate and connect to a back fill hose than one that is shorter and potentially hidden under a rib 25 or strut 24. If desired the plug may be removed using a long rigid device such as an anchor pin 42 or screw driver. Following removal the back fill hose is connected to the port and the stabilizing material may be injected.

In use the appropriately sized shoring panels are selected based on the requirements of the excavation. The first sections may be assembled on the surface at the shallow depths of the excavation and inserted simultaneously. As the depth of the excavation increases panels are added at the base. When a sufficient amount of space has been excavated the next section of shoring panels can be assembled to the lengthening tube. The first panel of the section is oriented so that the joint connecting the two of the panels above is positioned about a quarter to about the middle of the shoring panel to being inserted. This alternating of the connection joints increases the structural integrity of the tube. When inserting the panel it is aligned into position from the exterior surface of the tube and pulled inward toward the center of the tube and snapped into place. For example, the tongue at the top inner surface edge of the panel is inserted into the groove at the bottom inner surface edge of the section above. Guide pins positioned on the top edge of the panel are fitted into guide channels present on the section above assist in proper alignment. The next panel is positioned next to the first panel and connected similarly to the panels above while at the same time guiding the tab with pin into the guide channel directing it into the pin aperture locking the second panel in place. This operation is repeated until the section is complete. Excavation may then continue to create sufficient area for connecting of the next section of panels. If additional structural support is desired bolts may be secured along the top and bottom connecting edges of the panels. When the excavation depth is substantial the placement of anchor pins may be desired to maintain the tube in a desired orientation within the site. These pins are aligned within the cylindrical slot provided in the panel. When sharply impacted by hammer or similar device the break-through plug is freed from the panel and the anchor is then driven securely into the matrix beyond. If it is desired the gap between the wall of the site and the exterior surface of the tube can be back filled increasing the stability of the site for continued excavation. A anchor pin or screw driver may be used to free the break through plug providing an opening for depositing back fill material to the exterior surface of the tube. The back fill hose is affixed to the back fill adapter provided on the interior of the desired panel. Once secured, back fill material can be pumped into the desired areas of the site. When excavation is completed the sections can be removed prior to filling or the sections may remain in the site. If the tube is not removed the sections are designed to “blow-out” when sufficient force is exerted from the inside of a section. When filling an excavation site with cement the pressure exerted on each section increases as the tube is filled. The pressure causes the sections at the greatest depths to break apart at the connection joints releasing the cement into the air gaps within the site. Panels that are reclaimed can be reused for future excavations.

Various modifications and alterations of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, which is defined by the accompanying claims. For example, it should be noted that steps recited in any method claims below do not necessarily need to be performed in the order they are recited. For example, in certain embodiments, steps may be performed simultaneously. The accompanying claims should be constructed with these principles in mind. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A shoring panel for excavation, comprising: a top edge, a bottom edge, a first side edge, a second side edge, an inner surface and an outer surface, each of the aforementioned edges having attachment means for connecting to one or more adjacent shoring panels, said inner surface of each shoring panel comprising two or more horizontal channels and two or more vertical support struts at spaced intervals extending between the first and second side edges of each shoring panel, each shoring panel penetrated from inner surface to outer surface by a cylindrical slot, said cylindrical slot holding an anchor pin, each shoring panel penetrated from inner surface to outer surface by an injection port, said injection port projecting a short distance above the inner surface of said shoring panel.
 2. The shoring panel of claim 1, wherein said shoring panel forms a semicircle between the first side edge and the second side edge.
 3. The shoring panel of claim 1, wherein said panel further comprises apertures adapted to connect said shoring panel to one or more adjacent shoring panels.
 4. The shoring panel of claim 3, wherein said apertures are adapted to receive a bolt.
 5. The shoring panel of claim 1, further comprising a snap fitting.
 6. The shoring panel of claim 1, wherein the shoring panel is made of a material selected from the group consisting of high density polymer, low density polymer, non-recycled plastic and recycled plastic.
 7. An interlocking shoring panel for excavation, comprising: a semicircular top edge having a first plurality of conduit apertures; a semicircular bottom edge having a second plurality of conduit apertures aligned with the first plurality of conduit apertures on the top edge first and second side edges between the top edge and the bottom edge, and an inner surface having a plurality of horizontal channels and a plurality of vertical support struts; wherein the top edge and the bottom edge have first complementary interlocking features to connect the bottom edge of the shoring panel to a top edge of an identical second shoring panel; and wherein the first side edge and the second side edge have second complementary interlocking features to connect the first side edge of the shoring panel to a second side edge of an identical third shoring panel.
 8. The interlocking shoring panel of claim 7, wherein the top edge further comprises a tongue and the bottom edge further comprises a groove complementary to the tongue.
 9. The interlocking shoring panel of claim 7, wherein the bottom edge further comprises a tongue and the top edge further comprises a groove complementary to the tongue.
 10. The interlocking shoring panel of claim 7, wherein the first side edge further comprises a ridge and the second side edge further comprises a channel complementary to the ridge.
 11. A system for shoring an excavation site using a plurality of the interlocking shoring panels of claim 7, the system comprising a first shoring ring comprising first, second and third interlocking shoring panels interlocked together, the bottom edges of the first, second and third interlocking shoring panels at least partially forming a bottom edge of the first shoring ring; a second shoring ring comprising fourth, fifth and sixth interlocking shoring panels interlocked together, the top edges of the fourth, fifth and sixth interlocking shoring panels at least partially forming a top edge of the second shoring ring; wherein the bottom edge of the first shoring ring is connected to the top edge of the second shoring ring by engaging the complimentary interlocking features of the top edges of the fourth, fifth and sixth interlocking shoring panels with the complimentary interlocking features of the bottom edges of the first, second and third interlocking shoring panels; and wherein the first and second subsequent shoring rings are assembled inside an excavation site to shore the excavation site, working from the top of the excavation down to the bottom as the site is progressively excavated and room is made for more shoring rings.
 12. The system of claim 11, wherein the bottom edge of the first interlocking shoring panel is engaged with both the top edge of the fifth interlocking shoring panel and the top edge of the sixth interlocking shoring panel such that the lower shoring panels overlap the joins of the higher shoring panels. 